The Supercontinuum Laser Source: Fundamentals with Updated References

Photonics and nonlinear optics are important areas of science, engineering and technology. One of the most important ultrafast nonlinear optical processes is the supercontinuum (SC) – the production of intense white light pulses covering: uv, visible, NIR, MIR, and IR. It is produced using ultrashort laser pulses (ps/fs) to produce the ultrabroad band of frequencies. This book covers the fundamental principles and surveys research of current thinkers and experts in the field with updated references of the key breakthroughs over the past decade and a half. The application of SC are time-resolved pump-SC probe absorption and excitation spectroscopy for chemistry, biology and physics fundamental processes; optical coherence tomography; ultrashort pulse generation in femtosecond and attosecond regions; frequency clocks; phase stabilization; optical communication; atmospheric science; lightning control; optical medical imaging; biological cell imaging; and metrology standards.

Dr. Robert R. Alfano's accomplishments in the field include:

Seminal patent on the supercontinuum.

Discovery of the supercontinuum.

Fellow of APS, OSA, IEEE, AP Sloan Fellow, published three (3) Physical Review Letters in one volume in 1970 on the supercontinuum.

700 published works, 80 patents, Distinguished Professor of Science and Engineering.

Photonic and ultrafast phenomena expert

Inventor of Cr⁴⁺ tunable lasers